What's the word, hummingbird?: Part VI White beaches & Myakka River State Park

Please add your name in the comment itself if you leave one, I see everything under 'unknown'. Thanks!

Oh and click on the pictures to enlarge them and on the videos to play them :-)! They're worth it!

Next stop: Anna Maria island. One of my Lyft drivers in Orlando told me about this being one of the best beaches down here and even though I was a bit tipsy after the beer spa, I wrote it down. After checking my own notes from months ago when I looked into Florida and before I changed my mind a hundred times, it was in my notes as well. And so, next stop: Anna Maria island.

It was about 40minutes away from the Sunken Gardens, but took me another 10 minutes or so to find a free parking spot. Which in the end wasn't that hard. I had to pee and almost went into one of the resorts to do so, but blatter of gold (most of the times) and so I figured I would hold it, since I was only going to be there for an hour or so. The beach was gorgeous, white powdered sand, soft to the feet, won't get hot, perfect. And because I was almost at the end of the island (no restrooms, restaurants), it was mostly older people staying in the pricey accomodations so again, nice and quiet! Walked for a bit and read my book before I took off again.

Left the island and again it took a little less than an hour to get to my hotel (todays total 150km)! The guy that checked me in gave me a tour around the propery and showed me to my room. There were only a couple of people but two pools and the 2nd pool was again, pretty much just mine :-)! Had a few drinks and finished my book (another true horrible story). Then got eaten by mosquitos when the sun went down, they had their own Happy Hour haha, and went back to the room. Booked my next night just before midnight!

And the next day, probably my best day here! Went to the beach, Siesta Key beach, before checking out. Had about an hour. Walked for a bit, read a few chapters (of my 3rd and final book from home) and left again to check out. The sand again was sooo soft. And the water was so clear!! Loved it!! Great start of the day but it would get better!!

Pelicans!

Clear waters!

The walk down/from the water (Gulf of Mexico or Gulf of America according to Trump and officially added to Maps) is about 90meters!

Drove to Myakka River State Park. Another thing that was in my notes but that I needed to research again. And I had decided to check it out. No expectations.

This is the Myakka River, Florida’s first state-designated wild and scenic river, and it flows through a vast expanse of unspoiled wetlands, prairies, hammocks, and pinelands that make up Myakka River State Park.

All I can say, is that I loved it. Again, it was almost dead quiet. Saw a couple of people on the road but almost none walking when I was there which was also a bit eary at times. Highlight of my trip. It's a lot of pictures and videos and not so many words. I hope you get a sense of the beauty of this place!

Spot the alligator!

This guy 💪🏼

Fairytale trees

One of my favorites!

They say "All good things come from above", until a snake drops on your head haha.

Canopy walk, again, another favorite!

Simba, everything the light touches is yours!

Picture from below - trying to be creative :-)

In the words of the late Steve Irwin: What a beauty!

The boardwalk was closed, not sure I was suppose to be here but again just me and the birds. Nobody else around :-)!

Car selfie :-)!!

Closest I dared to go. I saw the alligators in the water and a bunch of signs with CAUTION. And again, nobody around and wet soils.

Final views. Beautiful day!

Drove to my next accomodation, Sanibel Island. Again for 1 night! There was nobody there at my arrival, not even an alligator hihi. But everything was well arranged. Got into my room, sat down for 20 minutes or so and headed to the pool for about an hour. Back into the room after that to sort out some stuff. Took a bath, booked a room for a next 3 days (something went wrong and the place contacted me that it was fully booked and shouldn't be online for reservations. Yikes, it already took me forever to choose this place. They gave me a recommendation, luckily also in my 'favorites' and plenty of room, so booked! Bath time!! Perfect ending to this day!